Sen. Pangilinan and Trillanes calls Duterte as “DICTATOR”

Duterte disregards the constitution according to Sen Kiko Pangilinan and Antonio Trillanes. Original photo credits to owner

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday urged Cabinet officials and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “speak truth” to President Rodrigo Duterte after saying that he will ignore Congress and the Supreme Court (SC) as he enforces martial law in Mindanao.

In a statement, Pangilinan also reminded Duterte of his duty to uphold and defend the Constitution.

“We urge all our Cabinet members and the Armed Forces to be true to their own respective oaths of office. Do not allow yourselves to be used as instruments in acts of reckless disregard of our constitutional democracy,” Pangilinan said.

“No one is above the law, not even the President. We oppose any violation of the Constitution on matters pertaining to the martial law declaration. To allow the President to disregard the Constitution is to open the gates to dictatorship,” he added.

On Sunday, Duterte vowed to defy Congress and SC amid the imposition of martial law in Mindanao, following the attacks of ISIS-inspired Maute Group.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also urged the public to “wake up,” saying Duterte’s recent statement shows his disregard for the rule of law.